Who is a Bariatrician?
A bariatrician is a licensed physician specializing in the treatment of obesity.

How Prevalent is Obesity?
Fifty-five percent or 97 million adults in the United States are overweight or obese.

Is Childhood Obesity A Growing Problem?
The numbers if obese children has doubled within 3 decades. Approximately 1 in 5 children in the United States is overweight.

What are the Health Implications of Obesity?
Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Other related conditions include: sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, infertility, lower extremities venous stasis, gastro-esophageal reflux and urinary stress incontinence.

What are some proven Medical Weight Loss Tips?
A comprehensive weight loss program should include a medical history, physical evaluation and appropiate laboratory studies, counseling on diet and nutrition, exercise and behavior modification, and appropiate appetite suppressants as indicated.

What About Medications?
Antiobesity medications can be very useful adjunct to a medical weight loss program. Many medications available today have a long history of safe and successful use.

How Are Overweight and Obesity Defined?
The body mass index or BMI is most commonly used for defining the normal weight, overweight and obesity. Normal weight BMI is 18.5-24.9. Overweight BMI is 25-29.9 and obese BMI is 30-34.9 and above.

How is a Patients BMI Related Health Risk Determined?
BMI of 27 or higher is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, but even a 10-15% weight loss may significantly improve a person's health.